The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-07-08
Ladies' Department.
Gala Lilies.

There is no flower Tor winter
blooming that has received more at
tention than the Gala Lily, and at
the same time, has disappointed so
often. AS soon as the weather will
permit it is to be set out, the owner
can be seen tugging it around to find
"a suitable place for it to rest during
the summer months, previous to re
2otting for winter.
The Gala is fully able to take care
of itself, all the rest it needs it will
take in its own way and own time.
Set it out and let it take its chances
with other plants, but never water
if it gets wet with the rain it will be
all right, and you will find that ii
will naturally die down. 1t may
have one or two small leaves during
the summer, as the Lilly will live as
long as there are roots to feed on, as
1t eats all the substance out Of the
roots, and you will find when you re.
port it that there is nothing left tina
were once roots but dried up, black
looking fibre.
In order to repot Lily properly
empty it out of the pot entirely Thu
same soil can be used again. as the
soil is only a substance through
which the plant receives its living
the growing Lily depends on light
heat and water. Put into the poi
the same soil mixed with the ole
roots and chopped up leaves; put as
many leaves in the bottom OF the poi
as you can possibly pack in before
your soil, as decomposed vegetable
matter is really better than animal
matter, the latter will produce larger
plants, but they seldom bloom when
they grow so large, and if they do it
will be only one flower during the
winter, and that not until near
spring. I haye Lilies that have not
had any dressing. that have grown
just in common soil, with the pots
set in bowls Of water, and the stocks
would not measure an inch in Cir
conference, and they have doomed
freely.
After you haye finished potting,
place the pot in bowl of water or
pan, one that will hold at least half
a pint with the pot. This must be
kept full of water as the hot sun will
soon dry out all moisture, which is
very injurious to the plant at the
first starting.
Now leave the Lily to take care of
itself, and in the course of a week or
two you will see 1t sprouting. The
water that is drawn up through the
soil by the rays of the sun on the
surface of the soil passes through the
leaves that have been placed in the
bottom of the pot, and thus carries
with il carbon gas that is so neces--
sary to plant life. The more decom-
posed the leaves the more gas, AS
the leaves unfold they commence TAX
ing in CARBON from the air, thus, you
see, it has double supply.
When the plant is taken into the
house it must have window where it
Can have the sun at least two hours a
day besides having strong light.
Keep the pan filed with hot water
during the winter, in order to keep
the soil heated; if the plant should
not take up all the water during the
day. empty it out and fill again with
hot water; do this daily.
There is no reason why Lily
should not bloom, as nature has in
tended flower for every plant in
its own way, and if properly treated
will bring satisfactory results.
once called on lady who show
ed me her plants. Among them was
q fine Gala, and l knew by its appear
ance it had not bloomed. remark
ed:
"You have fine Gala"
eyes; / am very proud of my Gala
she replied"
elias it bloomed?" I asked.
ooh, no!' she exclaimed looking
very wise and at the same time very
modest, cit is he Lily"
was greatly amused. If any of
my readers have such an idea, just
correct it at once flor there are no he
Lilies. The male and female germs
are contained within the same bulb.
II you will examine carefully the
spadix. you will find there both male
and female flowers.